Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Two Senators bury past to improve future
Submitted by Jack McCullough on September 17, 2012
POLARIZED PAST: Sen. Bill Frist played party politics when he was the Senate majority leader and tried to unseat minority leader Sen. Tom Daschle. Now, Frist and Daschle are teaming up to find a bipartisan solution to get control of health care costs before they sink the economy. “That is the past and we now find much more in common than not. We both know that we need to find a consensus way forward,” Frist said. Current lawmakers should take note -- polarized pasts don't need to be the future as well: Brett Norman for POLITICO: The Bill Frist Rx
KICKING THE CAN: After returning to session last week after a five-week recess, members of Congress are poised to return to their districts again this week. In the short time it is in session, Congress is in position to only pass one piece of legislation that would keep the government funded for six more months. "There's little reason for either Democrats or Republicans to cut deals now, knowing they could have more leverage as a result of the election," says David Welna. Elected officials need to remember the commitment they made to their constituents: solving problems: David Welna for NPR: Congress Bets On Post-Election Edge, Delaying Action
CALL FOR COOPERATION: "The issues we confront will not be resolved by the policies put forth in party platforms that are filled with the polemics of folks who wish to shout from the corners of the American field of play. They will be resolved by leaders who are willing to sit down with their counterparts and – without compromising their core values or purposes – work out agreements that move our nation forward," Judd Gregg says. This is one of the many recent calls for across-the-aisle action: Judd Gregg for The Hill: Opinion: Bill Clinton’s call for bipartisan co-operation worth heeding
NO BUDGET, NO PAY COULD CHANGE PROCESS: Barry Noreen sees a predictable pattern in Washington. Congress recognizes a problem months away, members choose to engage in politics rather than solve it, the media discusses the doom that will occur from the inaction, and members pass a short-term resolution to avoid a meltdown. That cycle has been on repeat for this current session of Congress. Noreen believes that one way to fix that is the No Budget, No Pay Act: Barry Noreen for the Colorado Springs Gazette: Git 'er done or don't get paid
LESSON FROM STRASBURG: In the middle of a pennant race, the Washington Nationals recently shut down ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. While many sports pundits disagree with the decision, Robert Lipsyte says elected officials can learn from it. Lipsyte hopes our political leaders would embrace similar standards in "choosing the right, though less popular, action, rather than one that "plays" or "pays" well. Immediate gratification instead of investment in the future has become a part of our American culture." Robert Lipsyte forUSA TODAY: Lesson in Strasburg shutdown
FROM THE FIELD: University of Michigan student and No Labels student leader Joe Elliott is holding a campus conference to educate his fellow students about returning to problem-solving in government after the divisive election has ended.
THE DAILY BREAK: Writing in cursive and papier mache are just some of the useless things you learned in school. Check out the rest here: Buzzfeed: 49 Things You Learned In School That Are Now Completely Useless
ACTION OF THE DAY: Re-pin one of No Labels' images on Pinterest. If you don't have an account, click here to create one.
STAT OF THE DAY: After today, there will only be 13 days before the beginning of the new fiscal year. As of right now, there is no concurrent budget resolution, and none of the appropriations bills have been passed. So if the No Budget, No Pay Act were in effect, if lawmakers didn't manage to pass all of that within those 13 days, they would lose their pay.
Written & edited by Kelsey McLaughlin, Collin Berglund, Lauren Gilbert and Jack McCullough
Tips, questions or ideas? Email the Problem-Solver's Daily team at psdaily@nolabels.org or tweet at us (@nolabelsorg).
12 Ways to Make Congress Work!
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
11 Ways to Make the Presidency Work!
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
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In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, members of the House has an agreement in principle for immigration reform, scandals are hurting everyone and one cabinet nomination was confirmed.
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